“Jesus says that the root of anxiety is inadequate faith in our Father’s future grace. As unbelief gets the upper hand in our hearts, one of the effects is anxiety. The root cause of anxiety is a failure to trust all that God has promised to be for us in Jesus.” Battling Unbelief by John Piper (page 25, see Matthew 6:25-34)
Asides
A transaction with Jesus in the past that has no ongoing expression in our lives was a false transaction.
“A transaction with Jesus in the past that has no ongoing expression in our lives was a false transaction.” What Jesus Demands from the World by John Piper (page 62)
You will never get traction in your transformation until your feet are firmly planted in the freedom of God’s justifying grace in Christ.
“Like Luther, sometimes we approach the need for personal change as if each step of obedience were one more stair to climb in the attempt to gain peace with God. We pursue holiness for grace, not from grace. But this reverses the order of the gospel. You will never get traction in your transformation until your feet are firmly planted in the freedom of God’s justifying grace in Christ. The purpose of this chapter is to unpack the doctrine of justification by faith and show how embracing the truth of justification counters a performance-based, legalistic approach to the pursuit of transformation.”
Exerted from Christ Formed in You: The Power of The Gospel for Personal Change by Brian Hedges (Kindle edition location 933)
“What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”” (John 6:28–29 ESV)
“Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”” (John 6:27–29 ESV)
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12–13 ESV)
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12–13 ESV)
Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31 ESV)
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31 ESV)
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:44 ESV)
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:44 ESV)
How A Mega-church Is Rediscovering The Gospel – The Gospel Coalition
We’re all addicted to earning it
We’re all addicted to earning it. Most think they’ve earned it on the front end with their “choice of faith”. And since that is the case, they have to continue to try and keep it with with their moral deeds.
Beholding is Becoming – Desiring God
Beholding is becoming: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” 1 Corinthians 3:18
via Letter to an Incomplete, Insecure Teenager – Desiring God.
The Gospel Centered Life 